How to Take (and Send) a Correct Photo of your Passport Bio Page

IMPORTANT:

Before you begin, check the expiry date of your passport. If your passport is set to expire less than six months after your trip, you need to apply for a new one to be able to travel.

1️⃣ Prepare Your Passport & Setup

• Choose a Flat Surface:
  • Place your passport on a flat, solid-colored surface (white, gray, or light-colored works best).
• Lighting:
  • Use natural light from a window (but avoid direct sunlight, which can cause glare).
  • If using artificial light, use soft lighting from two sides to avoid shadows.
  • Avoid using the camera flash, as it may reflect on the glossy passport page.
• Clean Your Camera Lens:
  • Wipe your smartphone camera lens with a soft cloth to remove dust or smudges.

2️⃣ Taking a High-Quality Photo of Your Passport

• Position the Passport Correctly:
  • Open your passport flat and ensure the bio page (with your photo and details) is fully visible.
  • Hold it steady or use a book on the edges to keep it open (but don’t cover details).
• Camera Settings & Framing:
  • Hold the phone directly above the passport to avoid distortion.
  • Leave a small margin around the edges so the whole page is visible.
  • Avoid tilting the camera—keep it parallel to the page.
• Check readability:
  • Check that all text and numbers are readable (zoom in to verify).

Note: You can also use a scanning app like which will automatically adjust brightness and crop edges for you. Examples are: Adobe Scan (iOS/Android), Microsoft Lens, CamScanner, Apple Notes (iPhone users can scan directly via the Notes app)

3️⃣ Sending Your Passport Scan

• Sending via Email:
  • Attach the file and ensure it is not embedded inside the email body.
  • Double-check the recipient's email before sending.
• Sending via Text/WhatsApp:
  • If using WhatsApp, send as a document (not a regular image) to preserve quality.
  • For iMessage, avoid compression by selecting "Send as Original Quality."

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

❌ Blurry or low-quality images (ensure text is readable).

❌ Glare or reflections on the page (adjust lighting and angle).

❌ Part of the passport page cut off (make sure the whole page is visible).